Plans for Melbourne airport’s third runway delayed

Plans for Melbourne airport’s third runway have been pushed back, with public exhibition of the major proposal postponed. And locals are not happy.

Melbourne Airport’s third runway will still be a little while off. Picture: Jay Town

Plans for Melbourne airport’s third runway have been pushed back, with public exhibition of the major proposal delayed until 2019.

The push to develop the airport’s next east-west runway has angered some locals, with community groups concerned the flight path would affect schools and hospitals.

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Frustrated residents have asked for airport authorities to release more details, and have warned the plans could be pushed through with limited public consultation.

Australia Pacific Airports Melbourne chief of aviation, Simon Gandy, said there was no firm date on when the public would be shown its Major Development Plan for the runway.

“Writing an MDP is a consultative process that sees us working closely with stakeholders from regulators to airline customers to the local community,” Mr Gandy said.

“Following initial feedback and some recent planning changes, we want to take the time to ensure that this information is incorporated into the planning and development of this critical asset.

“We think it is appropriate to update this important ­information accordingly.” A third runway has been described as a priority of national significance by APAM, with demand expected to exceed capacity at the airport by 2020.

But Hume Residents Airport Action Group spokesman Frank Rivoli said locals felt they were being left out of the development process.

“All they’re saying (to us) is there are more regulatory ­issues that they need to consider into their plan,” he said.

Hume locals say they have been left out of Melbourne Airport’s development process. Picture: Jay Town

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“We believe that all the studies, including a health study that has already been done, should be released now as a form of discussion before it even goes to public comment.

“But the way it is being ­operated, we won’t get the chance to look at these studies until a week before the ­comment process.

“We should have access to the studies because they are about us and the impact the runway will have on residents.”

It comes after a Keilor family was forced to take on Melbourne airport and Hume council earlier this month over plans to rebuild their house after it burnt down.

The airport objected to the plans to rebuild the property because of its location close to the proposed future runway and a dedicated safety zone.

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